General Chat

It is slightly drizzly here this morning, that is the only rain we have had. It is annoying as all around us there has been a lot of rain. My water barrels need refilling, so I hope we get some soon.

My sister is on the second week of her radiotherapy. It is going fine so far and she hasn’t started feeling sick yet. As she had such a large tumour removed, there is a large space in the centre of the brain, so they said that this might help as it will allow the swelling caused by the treatment to happen without it pressing on other parts. I hope so, as she has a one and a quarter hour trip each way.

Afternoon peeps.
Brighter day here albeit quite a stiff breeze but it got the bed linen dry very quickly.

Can't help but feel, there is a chill in the air today, almost Autumnal and yet we didnt have a summer here this year unlike the rest of the uk! A couple of days of 21 degrees was about it.
The children return to school on Thursday and I do feel sorry for them as hardly been many nice days for them to go outside.

Hoovered the whole house, and tidied up. Wrote 2 letters and did some shredding so all up to date with paperwork for now.

Ordered a new tumble dryer yesterday too, a reverse action one as the existing one doesnt have this feature and all the towels just get tangled up into a ball.

This one i have is only 3 years old so should be able to sell it locally for a reasonable price. The new one is 8kg not 7kg so a bit bigger too. I have a super kingsize duvet cover so needs space in the dryer.

2nd part of new series of Shetland on tonight. Love this series and so glad its back on. Also Scottish soap River City was back on last night as well and Masterchef so some good tv viewing. Mind you on Masterchef Chris Eubank, the Boxer was hilarious! Quite obvious he has never cooked much lol

So off to be busy again

Florence in the hebrides

After another foggy start, I can now see the hills in front of my house but it is breezy and damp so not a nice day. Suddenly looked out at 10am to see the neighbours bins out!! I had forgotten its bin day and with daughter away, it had slipped my mind.

So had to put on my lightweight waterproof and get them out quick as the lorry was up the village and would be down soon.
Have been busy transferring photos from phone to PC today. All 1800 of them! What a job.
But I am 3/4 finished and most now in files ready to tf to USB/pen drives. Just takes forever and SIl seems to send every holiday pic to me everytime they go away.

Anyway it kept me busy as im finding if Im not busy my mind is drifting to thinking of mum and its upsetting me a bit.

I think everything happened so quickly, its only now after being away, I have time to think and digest about what happened. It will settle down in time, just all seems a bit surreal at the moment.

Ann most of my pots are plastic and I can manage to move them about as when its blowing a gale, i shift them into the corner to shelter from the wind. If they were bigger, I wouldnt be able to do that.

Hope people get the well needed rain thats forecast and also hope it sinks into the ground. Flash flooding doesnt do the plants anygood as it just runs away and doesnt sink into the soil.

Cant decide on my tea tonight, really should have my fruit & yoghurt again but feeling so hungry.

Hope all ok with Joan & Linda too.

Florence in the hebrides

Thank you Joan for the birthday wishes and Florence too.

21 degrees here at 7am and 22 now but no sun.

Large planters become unmanageable as we get older don't they. I am trying to keep large pot is one place and buying smaller ones to move around. I have also bought several plastic pots in the new bright colours, so much easier to move. I have mauve, cerise, blue and apple green. I expect they will fade but I have some from last year and they have not weathered too badly.

Afternoon peeps.
Happy Birthday Ann for yesterday. Glad you had friends to take you out for coffee etc. Always chores to bring you back down to earth lol. Im still catching up after a week back from down south! Dont know where daughter gets all her washing from lol

Wow Linda, you have had such a busy time but you sound like you are enjoying being away and the children are having a fab time too.

Yesterday was warm in the afternoon about 20 so pleasant and daughter & I spent the afternoon outside weeding all my flower pots. The gale we had back in Jun ruined the potato plants and all the greenery died off. So we dug up the plants and did get some new pots but not as many as last year. Still we had them with salmon fillets last night and peas and they were very tasty.

Enough left for another meal later in the week.

The haar/sea mist has covered the view to the sea and has become a bit chilly and damp now so a lot cooler....never lasts the sun here lol

Oh well back to the last bit of drying off and then ironing tomorrow.

Hope you are ok Joan and having better weather than me.

Florence in the hebrides

I am pleased that you managed to enjoy your birthday Ann, special days must be difficult being on your own, but you are blessed by a caring family.

It is going to be another very hot day at Center Parcs. The lodge is nice and cool and we are spending lots of time in the swimming pool every day, so it is fine. Thee others have hired bikes, but OH and I are just walking. All of the walkways are very shaded by trees, so it is fine walking about between the venues. Esme has a Duo bike with her mum. It is a large wheelchair on the front of a bike frame. The wheelchair part can be unclicked from the bike to use separately which is useful as she gets tired walking..

That was a busy time you had Linda. You need a holiday now to get over that. I had a good time yesterday on my birthday, very hard when that special person is no longer here to celebrate with you but I am so grateful for my family (who were not able to be with me but kept very much in touch), and my local friends who made sure I was taken out and treated to coffee and cake and lunch etc. Back down to earth today with a Tesco delivery due and washing to be done etc. Already 17 degrees and it was such a hot night.

I am glad the funeral went well Florence.
I have had a few busy weekends in a row. First of all we went to Evesham to see our son, his wife and their daft rescue dog. That was a very pleasant child free weekend.

Last weekend we were supposed to be on our own n as my daughter and the girls were going to Filey for a long weekend in a caravan. The girl’s daddy was coming up from London and they were being joined by his sister. Unfortunately, she was ill, so couldn’t go. As the whole point was to meet up with her, they have rearranged it for the last weekend of the school holidays.

The girls were disappointed about not going away, so my daughter decided to take them for two nights in a travel lodge in Hexham. As she would be on her own with them, I went along and OH stayed at home.

On the first day we went to Hadrians’s wall. First of all we went to the new Roman army museum, which was very good. In the afternoon we went to Vindolanda, which again was interesting. I haven’t been there for thirty years, since my children were small.

We wanted to go to the actual wall, so we took advice on where was accessible, Esme has a large all terrain pushchair as well as her wheelchair. I have forgotten the name of the place, but it was a car park with a gravel path over some grassland. That was fine, but then we were faced with a steep grassy slope going down. that was OK for the buggy, but then there was a huge climb up a steep path to the wall on the top of the crag. I have been there in the past, but this time opted to stay in the bottom with the buggy. Eve went haring up to the top on her own, a bit worrying as there was a steep cliff edge to fall off, but mercifully she kept away from the edge. My daughter and Esme went a little way up, but then came back down. On the way back, we were faced with having to drag the buggy with Esme in it up the steep grass to the path. Thankfully a family with two men in it offered to help

The following day, we went to Killhope lead mining museum I have been there several times in the past, but it is probably about thirty two years since we went. The girls loved it as I knew they would

This weekend, we are at Centre Parcs in Sherwood Forest, We are just having a quiet time in the lodge while they have gone off to do their first activities of the day. We will join them shortly for the second activity, just watching as indoor wall climbing is not for me these days. This afternoon we will be in the swimming complex again.

32 degrees here and I have just been to the hairdressers so a ten minute walk mostly in full sun. Yes I am HOT!!!

going for coffee this afternoon to our local garden centre which does have air conditioning.

Afternoon Chit Chatters
Not foggy and damp today and no wind sooo......yep midges! Cant win lol

Still working on paperwork etc but almost up to date for now. Solicitor now has everything they need to start the application for Probate and she said shouldnt take too long about 6 weeks maybe.
Had some lovely flowers sent to me and quite a few cards which was very thoughtful of people.
I have just put a thankyou in out local paper and it cost £65...never realised how expensive it is but its the best way to thank lots of people at once.

Basket of ironing to finish off so that will keep me busy this afternoon.

Not sure what is for tea tonight as im back on the diet after eating rubbish for the last 2 weeks!

Joan your garden sounds wonderful with all your new plants and so glad the Bowie had been replenished.

Ann & Linda hope you both are keeping ok as your weather is so hot where you are compared to me at 17 degrees lol

Florence in the hebrides

Hello all, I have been around on the board even had a thread of my own on 'water', something we are suffering a shortage of. I think it has just been too hot to post and I am envious of your garden Joan. With having no rain for at least 6 weeks our gardens are dying of thirst, lawns are brown and pot plants are struggling.

Florence I am pleased that all went well. I guess it might be the same for my kids when I go as well, although not with tights and stockings.

Went to town today to see the chiropodist, not too bad on bus in but hot and crowded on bus home,

Alexa is telling me it is 29 degrees out there and I believe her. Now I have an empty brown bin again and a large black humper filled to the brim and too hot to transfer it into the brown bin.

Afternoon lovely peeps.
Well back home safely now after a hectic few days. The day of mum's funeral(last Friday) was a beautiful sunny day, so perfect . It all went very smoothly and no hitches or dramas!

Had a lovely buffet afterwards for a couple of hours and was good to catch up with a few people I havent seen in years.
Spent time over the weekend going through mums things and oh my!

I found about 20 pairs of tights & stockings all brand new in boxes, never used! She really was a squirrel. But we donated a lot of sheets & blankets we found in boxes to the Ukraine local branch so someone will benefit from those.

Smooth journeys there and back, so grateful for Special Assistance guys, they were fab.
Working our way through all our washing etc and lots of bills to sort through etc. Plenty to keep me busy for a few weeks and beyond.

Hope everyone is well as hasnt been any posts since I was away.
Did get sunburnt down in Bexhill on the Sunday, first time in 30 years lol

Right better get on with the laundry and ironing.

Florence in the hebrides

Good morning all dry here nut very gloomy. we did have a very welcome shower yesterday evening but it didn't last long.
Linda, I hope that you are having a lovely weekend. I love Evesham Country park and the Valley shops but it is a long time since I went into the town.

Florence I do hope all goes well with your Mum's funeral. what lovely music. I have the Eva Cassidy over the rainbow on the list for music at my funeral. But I love all that you have chosen and just reading the titles makes me feel emotional. <3

Afternoon peeps.
Well summer was short lived lol. Today is windy, wet and like Autumn, the sun has vanished.

Just giving the house a spring clean. Hate going away and leaving it untidy etc, cleaned the cooker too although it was quite clean anyway. Clothes are now hanging ready for the case.

I have lists of things to do and working through them. I did a basket of ironing but my legs were aching so I have come to sit for a wee while.

Linda, I hope you were careful on the frame!! My goodness, you are a hardy lady. Hope you are having a lovely time away.

Music all sorted for mum and its going to be a very moving service.

Over the Rainbow by Eva Cassidy, Annie's song by John Denvar, Bridge over Troubled waters and some Glen Miller. So all very moving songs.

Have had to deal with a few dramas this week, so hoping there are none on the day!

Joan havent seen you about, so hope you are ok and your hand has improved?

Florence in the hebrides

Thankfully, we have had some rain here, so the garden looks a bit better.
It is the first week of the main school holidays, so we are looking after both of them. We have to take Esme places to keep her occupied and out of her mums way as she is working in the house.
Among other places, we have been to two different soft plays this week, but we have to go on the frame with Esme. I envy the other mums who just sit drinking coffee while their offspring play. At seventy three, it is hard going having to scarper to the top of the frames :-(

We are taking some time off tomorrow and going to Evesham for the weekend to visit m6 son and his wife. Needless to say we are looking forward to the change

good afternoon it is 22 degrees here but very cloudy, no sun and, as usual no rain. We have had very very little rain the past two months and my garden shows it. I am having part of it gravelled next week so have spent the past four days clearing the space of several plants I want to keep and even more I don't I think I have gone as far as I can with it which is good. finished for today now.

Linda I hope all goes well with sisters RT. Good that she is improving.

Ouch!! Joan that sounds painful and frustrating if you can't use it.
And Linda I guess you were lucky the knife didn't do more damage.

Florence it sounds as if you have the funeral service under control the celebrant will work around your plan and posibly add a bit in for her piece.

Good afternoon everyone looking in.
Well summer has arrived today. Blue sky, sunshine, little breeze and 17 degrees, so very pleasant.

Keeping the washing and ironing up to date as away next Wednesday and dont want to leave a pile to come back to.

JG, the heat really does affect people with joint problems but soon enough, the heat will be a lot less, summer doesnt really last that long. As for the Tv, Im really irritated when my soaps are taken over by football and then find they were on BBC2 grrr and you are right, there isnt much else on at the moment.

We made some plain scones earlier so had a couple with a cuppa for lunch and they were very tasty. Having salmon fillets with new pots and peas for our evening meal tonight as last few days just been living on rubbish!

Hope Joan, Ann & Linda are all ok whatever your are all up to and anyone else looking in, have a good afternoon.

I finalised the tribute to mum along with the readings and 2 hymns.Its very humorous and little bro said it was spot on so I am pleased with it. The Civil Celebrant is coming to bros at 4pm to put a service together for us. When bro said my sister has done that already, she was so surprised as normally that's her job lol. However, I value her opinion and also the order in which things are done.

Have also been sorting out my clothes etc and hanging them out of the wardrobe to air so fairly organised now.

may look in later

Florence in the hebrides


Florence in the hebrides

Evening everyone, It is certainly cooler today,

I hope you are all ok . I have been in a lot of pain in my joints and the recent hot spell knocked me for six with swollen painful hands and feet .

Will be glad when the football is over but then it will be the C/w Games I suppose.
Not much on the tv at all now, fed up with seeing the same old films on again and again.
Take care all
Ginnie (aka Mrs Grumpy) lol.

Afternoon everyone looking in.
Last night was raining and thick mist and quite chilly. Still whats new lol. Saved me though from watering the flower pots.
Joan, your hand sounds awful. I hope you are up to date with your tetanus jags?
Maybe strap it with a strong bandage for a couple of days?

I know what you mean about the tv, not that i have been watching much but when i switched on last night, no casualty again!! Womens footie of which i have no interest in or mens come to that.

Well at least you have some broth left and yes 2nd day is always tastier.
I had a bowl of cornflakes with me orange juice earlier(allergic to milk) and really cant face anything else as just feeling nauseas. Its just stress related!

Linda, i have lost the number of times, i have opened a parcel with scissors and dropped them on my big toe and bruised it and it was really sore as scissors were heavy. if it had cut me like you, I would have bled a lot as im on blood thinners!

When my daughter finished her chemo (when she was 6) she had 3 weeks of radiotherapy and was only 1 minute back and front. We rented a house for 3 weeks and every morning at 9am, a taxi would collect us. 5 mins in the hospital and then book another back. At times it was really irritating waiting for a taxi back as that took longer than the treatment. She was never sick but felt it and the chemo had taken her hair already so there was nothing left to lose.

So hope her treatment goes to plan.

Well better have something to eat i suppose or else i shall be starving later.

Going over the service with my little bro later on.

Florence in the hebrides

I was opening a parcel awhile back. I used a sharp knife to cut the tape, then put the knife on the worktop. I managed to knock it off and it went down dagger like onto my bare foot. It caught e just on the joint where my big toe joins my foot. Luckily, it is just a small cut, but the joint is sore because the knife was quite heavy